Brie DaSilveira

BA, Cinema & Media Studies
'14

How has the School of Cinematic Arts changed your view of cinema and media studies? When I initially heard about the Critical Studies program, I was told that the major established the foundation of Cinema. Unsure of what aspect of filmmaking I wanted to pursue, this program provided me with an opportunity to explore the entire subject. Upon actually attending the School, I have found that I am learning to think analytically about film and its roles in society.

What advice do you have for prospective students looking at applying to your program? I advise prospective students to not create applications that they think the Admissions Office want to look at. The most important thing is to truly express who you are. And if you are unsure of who that is, be honest about that. The SCA community is made up of people from different walks of life, but there is something that all of us have: a passion for what we do and what we are learning.

How has the School of Cinematic Arts prepared you so far for a career in your discipline? While not a major that sets out to create film critics, the program fosters students' abilities to analyze and understand the intentions and messages presented in cinema. This opens up a wide range of possibilities in the job market, since being able to decipher what makes a certain movie unique is applicable in many circumstances. The School of Cinema also offers numerous opportunities to get involved on projects, attend screenings, meet filmmakers, and learn about the inner workings of the industry.

What have been the biggest challenges for you at USC? The biggest challenge for me has been accepting the fact that I simply do not have the time or brainpower to be involved in everything I would love to do here at this university. There are so many events to attend and subjects to explore. However, this has also taught me to manage my time and set priorities.

What in your past has given you inspiration or a unique point of view which you bring to USC? My tendencies to intensely observe my surroundings have contributed to my own perspective of the way things are in the world, something that I apply in my studies at USC. Evaluating is one of my first steps to understanding something. From there I make connections to memories and instances that I can easily recall, and interpret the ideas in ways that make sense to me. This new view, one composed of details and a web of references, is what I based my work on.